An official press release from Microsoft puts to rest concern that Microsoft Surface is really just vaporware. Starting on April 17th, select AT&T stores will receive the Microsoft Surface computers to change the way that consumers purchase mobile devices. Instead of just looking, they will be “exploring their mobile worlds using touch and device recognition technology.” The first stores to receive the computers will be in New York City, Atlanta, San Antonio and San Francisco, and more stores around the United States will be receiving them throughout the year. Despite the fact that the press release is dated April 1st, this really is no joke.

Each Microsoft Surface Computer is a table that measures about 30 inches. We first wrote about the Surface Computer back in May last year. There were several videos we attached to the article titled “Microsoft’s Surface Computer has the WOW Factor” that are worth taking a look at if you’re unfamiliar with what Surface is all about. At the time, “The Slasher” commented that he thought “the wow needs to be reserved ’til it’s in the real-world and actually deemed useful.” Amazingly enough, in less than two weeks it will be in the real-world and then we can determine if it’s really useful in a retail setting. Our guess is that customers will be blown away with the experience they’ll have when picking out a new mobile phone and it will in fact be useful…

Here’s how it will work. Customers visiting AT&T locations that have a Surface Computer will be able to place mobile phones on the “screen” of the computer and then they’ll be able to learn all about the phone, its features, accessories, even rate plans. Multiple phones will be able to be placed on the computer at the same time for easy comparison. If they’re wanting to determine whether their area has good coverage from the carrier, they can view the coverage map on the table and navigate it using their hands.

As SeattlePI reports, AT&T wasn’t even one of the original customers announced by Microsoft so it’s interesting that they’re the first to actually start using them. Additionally, at this point, the full potential of the computers will not be used. Some of the videos Microsoft released last year showed customers completing transactions by placing their credit cards on the table. AT&T customers will not be able to actually buy a phone with the computer in such a manner, they’ll just be able to explore and learn more about phones that they are interested in (for now). Eventually AT&T hopes to bring the Surface Computers to all of their 2,200 retail locations.

This sounds like a very practical use for Microsoft’s Surface Computer in a retail setting, doesn’t it? Now our only question is how/if/when Microsoft will market these computers for consumers…